So through a mess of circumstances I might need to push up the timeline on finishing my Fiero from about a year to about two weeks. Has anyone had a shop done engine swap on their Fiero? If so, which engine and how much did it cost. I'm hoping to be able to get the engine and tranny swapped for $4k or less including parts and I know that might be a stretch.
what swap? that would be big question. for what you are wanting to spend and paying labor I would say only one that would be that inexspensive would be maybe a 3.4
------------------
87 GT series 1 3800sc (7.597 @88.53 1.579 60ft) (series II swap in progress) 85GT Northstar/ 4t80e 86GT 3800 n/a My Build
[This message has been edited by jb1 (edited 08-25-2013).]
Sorry, should have given more details. I currently have it with a nogo Iron Duke and the three speed auto, so both have to go. I'm basically looking for a swap I can actually get a shop to do rather than one where they stare at me and say "but that never went in that car". The biggest problem is that my total budget for the engine, tranny, parts, and labor is $4k. That would be fine if I had time to do it myself, but I don't. I may be able to pay more if I sacrifice other parts of the build, but for now that's where I am. Though I thought swapping a 3.4 in a car that came with a 2.5 was really complicated?
If I could get a better fiero I'd have done so from the start, sadly the selection of cars in my area is terrible, this was the only one available when I bought it and none have gone on sale since then.
Though out of curiosity, does anyone know how easy a V-8 swap would be if I had one of archie's kits? If I could do some sort of swap myself I could do it on a different engine cradle (plenty at the local scrap yard, no v6 or manual parts though ) and see if I can get the duke running in the meantime. I don't have the equipment to fabricate any parts from scratch and to be honest I'm only really a passable mechanic having only don one engine rebuild and swap in the past and that was a completely different car.
[This message has been edited by Treep78 (edited 08-25-2013).]
Lots of stuff to think of with a v8 swap... even with archies kit and the wonderful instructions he gives. Not to mention if you get a "master" kit you've already spent the majority of your budget before you've even tackled buying the motor and trans. Your budget would build you a nice 3800 swap. You can source all of the needed mounts, wiring, and exhaust through forum members to make it almost plug and play. 2 weeks would he the killer on that though. I agree with the above to be honest... find another one for sale even if you have drive a little ways to pick it up. I ONLY say that because of your timeline. Unless you have the ability to make all the mounts and do your own wiring, I'm afraid short of a duke to duke transplant you're going to have major issues with 2 weeks. Just my .02 though. I do wish ya the best of luck with whatever rout you pursue.
~James
[This message has been edited by EvilSqueezles (edited 08-25-2013).]
are you in Abilene, TX or in MA? if texas get ahold of someone from Bat city fieros. Im sure they can hook you up with a great car for 4G. i drove to Ft. worth to get mine.
I'm in abilene as well. Lets talk. The shops around here will screw you. I have done a 3.4 swap and can help you out let me know. My number is 210-560-6746
Two weeks and $4K? You don't even have a shop? good luck... Finding a shop to do the job AND available on short notice is very hard. Most repair shops hate swaps... Swaps eat time, people, garage space, etc.
Just Shipping the parts can take days to weeks.
"Cheap" and fast swap is V6 w/ AT... 2.8 and a few others can work on 2.8 wiring. V6 harness is PnP w/ 85-88 l4 when use TH125c. 4T60 can work if money allows but time likely kills that.
Very cheap and just get car drivable... Fix/Replace L4 engine. Likely You get better price sell w/ an ok engine.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Originally posted by Treep78: Though I thought swapping a 3.4 in a car that came with a 2.5 was really complicated?
What year is your car? If you have all the 2.8 parts, it wouldn't be a big deal to do in an 85-88 Fiero...but if you have an 84 then the wiring becomes an issue.
...sadly the selection of cars in my area is terrible, this was the only one available when I bought it and none have gone on sale since then.
The guys here have to start getting used to the idea that to get "the car you really want" you have to be prepared to spend the time to look outside your hometown to get it.
We've often seen posts like "I really want an 88 GT 5-speed, but all that I can find in my hometown is an 84 Duke automatic. If I get the Duke, how much will I spend to convert it to a V6 5-Speed and swap a GT body on it?"
ANSWER - a lot more $$$ and work than buying the car you want from 3 States over.
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 08-26-2013).]
Thanks for all the feedback. It's clear that Im an idiot so Im gonna try to get the thing started so I have transport until I can build and swap a new engine.
Thanks for all the feedback. It's clear that Im an idiot
No you are not. Just start saving a lot of extra money if you are going this route. Keep in mind you could be paying someone for their time to "learn" about the Fiero.
Later, you could be our next "if I were doing this over" story.
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 08-26-2013).]
Having done allot to my GT, I can tell you that if you NEED a car, starting with a dead 28 year old car is not a good option.
If you want a cheap engine replacement, the stock engine back in is the way to go.
That said, if you want a v8 the cheapest is to find a Cadillac Sedan DeVille from the 89 to 93 years. You pull the ecm, wiring harness, and drive train out of it.
The car will be cheap and the engine and tranny work.
But, if you are smart, keep the Fiero strictly as a hobby car and find a compact used for your daily needs.
Embarrassingly I never thought to look outside the state, though that LS1 is a bit extreme for me. If you know anyone trying to sell a 3800 and they're willing to help me ship it out here let me know.
Two week deadline is cause I need to come up with some sort of reliable transport to go grocery shopping etc. Not sure what wrong with the duke. Cranks but doesn't turn over and the battery is now dead. I might try to go to Dallas this weekend and pick up a running Fiero.
Two week deadline is cause I need to come up with some sort of reliable transport to go grocery shopping etc. Not sure what wrong with the duke. Cranks but doesn't turn over and the battery is now dead. I might try to go to Dallas this weekend and pick up a running Fiero.
Do you mean it cranks and it does turn over but wont fire/start? Cranking and turning over is the same thing, firing/starting is the next step.
Ya but honestly at this point even if I got it started I don't have my tools with me and it needs new tail light covers. To me it makes more sense to get a second Fiero and use this on for parts and as a frame to build stuff on for the other one.